The {Short} History of Coupons

How many of you remember the following Coca Cola song: “I’d like to teach the world to sing, in per-fect har-mo-nyyy. I’d like to buy the world a Coke, and keep ’em coupon clip-ping!”

Anyone? No?

Okay, so that’s not exactly how the song goes, but back in 1894 the savvy business minds behind the popular soft drink did launch what would later become one of the most successful marketing strategies in the history of…well, marketing strategies! I’m talking about…the coupon.

Way back in the 1887, pharmacist and Coca-Cola inventor, John Pemberton and his bookkeeper began handing out tickets for free samples of their new drink. Despite the fact that everyone loves a freebie, their strategy yielded very mild results. Then in 1888, Pemberton sold Coca-Cola to a very shrewd businessman, Asa Candler. Candler, who knew a good idea when he saw it, decided to take the “free sample ticket” strategy to a whole new level.

Using the French word “couper” (which means “to cut”), Asa Candler began distributing thousands of coupons for a free glass of Coca-Cola. The coupons are mailed to homes across the country, handed out on the street by Coca-Cola salesmen, and placed inside magazines. The first official coupon campaign was a success! Between 1894-1913, more than 8.5 million coupons were redeemed at soda fountains nationwide and Coca-Cola–and the “coupon”–become household names.

Later in 1909, coupons received another boost when C.W. Post began offering 1¢ off coupons for his Grape Nuts cereal. {I realize that doesn’t seem like a lot, but that’s about 25¢ off by today’s standards from what I’ve been told.}

And so, the grocery coupon as we know it today was born! {Insert angel chorus here} We’ll continue our walk down coupon-memory-lane next week with coupons and frugality during The Great Depression. Stay tuned!

Go to The {Short} History of Coupons Part 2: The Great Depression

About Karrie

Food is my love language. But so is saving money. So I like to combine the two a lot and make thrifty make ahead and freeze meals to save time. Because life is busy, and freezer meals can come to the rescue for all of us. And yes, they actually CAN taste good. Read more...